Gun violence prevention Whats working, whats not and the law standing in the way

The Protection of Lawful Commerce Arms Act (PLCAA), signed into law in 2005, continues to obstruct federal gun regulation by shielding manufacturers from lawsuits. Experts at a Commonwealth Club panel in San Francisco stressed the importance of state-level reforms to address the pervasive issue of gun violence. California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted the effectiveness of local legislation, noting that 73% of Trump voters support enhanced background checks. Alarmingly, 5% of gun dealers are linked to 90% of guns recovered in crimes, underscoring the concentration of illegal activity within a small number of sellers. In Alameda County, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children, illustrating the dire public health impact.

Two-thirds of mass shootings involve domestic violence, prompting California to implement policies to educate mediators about firearm risks in custody disputes. Over 30 years, California has shifted from the highest to the lowest firearm mortality rates due to progressive policies. The establishment of the state Office of Gun Violence Protection is a key factor in this transformation, focusing on seizing firearms from dangerous individuals.